Chocolate Orange Cupcakes for the 2nd Blogiversary

This post was ready two days ago. I have to put it on schedule to make sure that I make it to FF #65 and to post it on the blog’s 2nd birthday (23rd April). I got a message if I can be one of the co-hosts today and it was less than 30 minutes before this post goes live. I immediately grabbed the iPad and edited the post. I didn’t know that it didn’t work. I went crazy when I saw notifications – Oh my! Good thing, I figured out what to do. 😀

I was so excited when Angie told me that I will be co-hosting with Effie @ Food Daydreaming. Effie has been with me since the first months of my blog. And now, I’m on my two years of blogging. What’s better way to do it than to do it with all of you and me as a co-host with one of the first blogging buddies I have. Now, people, join us. Click the bagde below to join Fiesta Friday #65. See you at the party. 😉

I kept reminding myself that my blog’s 2nd birthday is coming. I haven’t decided what to make to celebrate until two weeks ago. All the ingredients were ready. I was not.I slept for a total of 3 hours last Thursday… or let’s say Friday morning. I spent almost 5 hours in the kitchen Thursday night and slept very late due to a friend coming over. I thought that after I spent Friday lying down, I will be back to my normal hyper self on the next day and be able to bake for my blog’s 2nd birthday.

I was planning to make a cake with fondant icing, but I plan to make it on some other day. I made up my mind and made Marble Cupcakes. Oh, did I say Marble Cupcakes?? The cupcakes did not listen to me and made themselves Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Surprise. If you are imagining vanilla cupcakes with a chocolate ball inside, then you are right. 😀 I used my two-tone piping bag so I would have vanilla and chocolate frosting, but even the frosting looks so unappealing. 😦

For the second batch of baking, I made banana crumb cake. Just by looking at the recipe, I felt that its too sweet for me. Still, I did not adjust anything. It came out too sweet and too much topping – its not my type of crumb cake. 😥 There’s nothing wrong with the recipe, I must say. I just did not follow my instincts to adjust it according to my taste.For the third batch of baking, the friend who came over requested for this Brazo de Mercedes, but I overcooked the filling. It’s still taste good, though.Lesson learned? Don’t force yourself to bake when your body wants to rest. I’ve told that to myself multiple times – Baking while exhausted will not bring you good results – well, at least for me. But maybe after the incident last weekend, I will keep that in mind. Hmm, we’ll see… 😀 I was very upset that I told my friend I can’t post the supposed to be Marble Cupcakes today. She told me we’ll make a new one. But time is not my friend these days. My savior? The cupcakes I baked over a week ago.

Chocolate Orange is really a favorite of mine. When I saw Terry’s Chocolate Orange, I closed my eyes (its too expensive) and took one. I ate half of it and used the other half to top of these cupcakes.

I hope you enjoy these cupcakes. For those who are not into Chocolate Orange (Um, hello, Mellisa!), there are chocolate cupcakes at the back so don’t worry. 😉 And for those who aren’t into cupcakes… well, I have Oranges for you as well. 😛

Awww thanks a lot, Ginger! I really appreciate you saying that. I hope I can still manage so share more recipes for another year. 😀 I am happy to know you thru blogging world. I hope you are having a good time. 🙂

These look amaaaazing Jhuls, chocolate orange is my favourite! I always pick up a terry’s chocolate orange when they’re on sale, I currently have 3 waiting to be baked into something hehe!
Happy 2nd Blog anniversary, very exciting! Here’s to many more years 😀

Mmmmm….I love orange and chocolate together! These look absolutely delicious, along with so many of your other recipes. So glad to have found your blog, looking forward to following along on your culinary adventures!

Happy second blogiversary and congratulations!!
I find baking difficult when I’m tired as well; I become very, very sloppy, and so perhaps not unsurprisingly things don’t turn out too well for me 😀 But your cupcakes sound lovely; chocolate and orange is such a great combination!

It’s kismet, Jhuls! I actually didn’t know you and Efiie have known each other from the beginning! And of course I didn’t realize you were celebrating your 2nd blogiversary! It gives me goosebumps thinking how everything always falls in place so perfectly. Happy goosebumps, not scary ones! I feel truly happy and privileged to be able to celebrate this important milestone with you and the rest of Fiesta Friday gang! You are a beautiful person and your blog reflects it! Happy Blogiversary! Those cupcakes are terrific! ❤ ❤

Thank you so much, Angie. I got very much excited when I have read your mail. I was going to tell you, but I decided not to – you know, to surprise you as well. 😀 It’s crazy how you always make everything in good timing. 😉 Again, thank you, Angie. It’s so lovely knowing you thru the blogging world. ❤

Happy Happy Blogiversary Jhuls, how wonderful that you’ve made it for 2 years, I hope to look up to you and reach that landmark in another year. You’ve brought some amazing cupcakes to celebrate this wonderful occasion. Chocolate and orange are a hit in my books! Thanks for co-hosting, you always do it with such charm 🙂

Hey Jhuls! Congratulations on 2 years of blogging! What a lovely milestone this is and what a great way to celebrate with your very yummy cupcakes! I think there is no better combination than orange and chocolate!

Happy 2nd Blogiversary to one of my very special bloggy friends! ❤ Well, this batch of cupcakes sure came out awesome! I love the way the frosting looks! And orange and chocolate?! One of my most favorite combinations ever!! Big hugs Jhuls!

HAPPPPPPPPPPY BLOGIVERSARY!!!!!!! These cupcakes were the first thing that caught my eye at the party this week!! So I popped right over and of course, they belong to you, Jhuls! I shoulda known!! 😉 Happy Friday and thank you for co-hostingggg!!!

Thanks for co-hosting, AND happy two year bloggiversary! Your cupcakes look scrumptious. And, I must admit, that I had to look up Terry’s Chocolate Orange, and it looks like such a cool treat! Happy FF, and have a wonderful weekend. 🙂